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Sydney Harbour Bridge

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MG
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

The Bridge of Dreams

  • October 30, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by jaygami1986 from London, United Kingdom
The Bridge of Dreams

My next review is on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is perhaps one of the most iconic monuments in Sydney, if not the whole of Australia. The Bridge is the main thing that stands out when you first arrive in Sydney, its like their gateway into and out of the City, and with its sheer size, its something that people should take the time to look at up close and personal.

History:

The bridge has a long history, original plans to create the bridge started in the late 1890’s however construction didn’t actually start until the mid 1920’s. The bridge’s total length is a mammoth 1149 metres (3,770 ft), and according to the World Records book the bridge has the tallest arch steel frame measuring 134 meters (429.6 ft)

The bridge is accessible by many modes on transport which include, train, car toll, and walking. The bridge connects two main sides of Sydney and is frequently used by people travelling to and from work everyday. Pedestrians are also able to walk along the bridge, and there is a section from which a train service operates. If your staying in Sydney for a number of days I would try walking and taking a train through the bridge because it gives you a detailed look of the surrounding Sydney area.

Whilst staying in Sydney you may hear from a lot of travels to take the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walking Tour. My review is going to talk about the tour in more detail because I think it allows travellers a chance to see what it’s all about.
The tour gives visitors a chance to walk on the bridge itself, dangling down and allowing you to see some of the greatest views anywhere in Sydney.

The Tour:

The tour operators give you a number of packages that you can opt for, each catering from a novice to someone who is a thrill seeker, and thus the tour will be more intense and exciting. The main tours can consist of The Express, The Discovery, and The Bridge climb.

The most popular and most famous of all is perhaps "The Bridge Climb", which is a 3 and half hour thrill seeking climb, which takes you to the outer reach of the bridge on catwalks and ladders reaching a height of 134 meters. This was one exceptional experience, because you get to see the whole city from the top of the bridge, the people, and cars look so little from that height. The views of the local Harbour, the Sydney Oprah and the city buildings are simply stunning, and its best to go on a hot summer’s day as the breeze from the sea really makes you feel cool.

Safety is a big issue on the tour as you would expect all safety checks are carried out several times and an experienced, fully trained professional is in charge of the tour. Please check that you insurance covers these types of excursions, if not the tour operators can refuse to take you.

The ladders you climb are easy to follow, you are sent up in groups of 14 people, these can be people you have come with or other tourists, its also a great way to socialise with people as you cant go 3 and a half hours without doing some talking.

Safety:

Before you climb you go through a safety check, which also include equipment such as a jump suite, shoes, head gear, harnesses, head lamps and a hard hat.

Prices:

Prices can be slightly expensive but this is expectable as it’s a long tour and it’s got a lot of additional features they give you. During Monday to Sunday daytime the prices for adults are $198 and $128 for children. Alternatively you can go for the evening option which costs $258 for adults and $188 for children.


I would recommend that if you want the best possible experience you should go for the evening tour as it really is the most breathtaking experience anyone could ever experience. You can see the city in the dark with all the lights, the Sydney Oprah House lit up at night is such a treat, and the bridge itself is also lighted up.

You also have the option of choosing to climb at Dawn or at Twilight, which is when the sun sets, overlooking the bridge. This is more focused on couples and is packaged as a romantic experience, so if you are travelling with a partner it might be worth looking into these packages.


Visitors Centre:

If the climbing experience is not for you, then you also have the option of making a visit to the Visitors centre which is located neatly along the pillar of the tower. It’s open for anyone to come and have a visit, and is free of charge. It’s a great place to come and learn more about the history of the Bridge, which shows photos of the construction stages and how it looked during the 1900’s

Alternatively you could just as easily walk on the pedestrian access routes the bridge has, it’s free of charge and also gives you breathtaking views. However, please bear in minds it can get noisy from the ongoing traffic.

At the end of your tour, you will receive a certificate to show that you have successfully climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

For detailed info about the tour, please visit;

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Happy Travels.

From journal Things to See in Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge

  • January 9, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Parisbeba from New York , New York
Sydney Harbour Bridge

One of the most recognizable sites in Sydney, nothing can actually prepare you for the size and beauty of the bridge. There are pedestrian and cycle paths and for those on the adventurous side, take a shot at the Bridge Climb.

From journal Flying Down Sydney Way

Editor Pick

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

  • August 7, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by c_rau from Denver
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

You must be age 10 or over and you must be in good physical condition. The climb took over 3 hours; a good chunk of my day. Also wear running shoes for comfort and traction.

First me and my group, around 10 to 12 people, were herded into a small room where we had to sign our lives away and given a breathalyzer test. We were instructed to empty all pockets and to remove jewelry. We were escorted into the changing room where we put the jumpsuit on over our regular clothes. The jumpsuits zip all the way up to your neck and there’s elastic on the sleeves and legs. Finally you pass through a metal detector before you are turned over to your climb guide. Ours was Sasha, who showed us how to put our tether belt on. This belt would keep us connected to the bridge at all times.

Rain was in the forecast so we attached hats, a rain jacket and a fleece jacket to our belts. The jackets were sewn into packs, like parachutes. From here we did a practice climb on a replica of the bridge ladders. Finally we were given our military-issue headphones. Then we went to the start of the climb and tethered ourselves. Once tethered, we couldn’t change places.

First we had to walk to the southeast tower, where the ladders were that would take us up. From the tower we had to snake through some narrow passages before we approached the ladders. We had to climb 4 ladders and I told myself I wouldn’t have to do my workout today. We were now on the stop arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Walking up the arch was like walking up stairs; very gradual with hand rails on both sides. Perfectly safe. This was also our first glimpse of the city and the Sydney Opera House. Sasha began pointing out the landmarks and explaining what many of the things we saw were, not just the opera house, but the ferry terminal and several small islands (former penal colonies) in the harbor. We stopped many places along the arch so Sasha could take digital photos. We were not allowed to bring cameras, just another thing to drop on the traffic below, so Sasha took all photos. Soon we were near the top and we could see the climbing group ahead of us and the one coming behind us. The bridge was crowded!At the top, we crossed the middle girder that marked the highest point on the climb (134m / 440ft).

Now we were on the west side arch and made our way down. We had now arrived at the second set of ladders that will take us back under the bridge where we started. From here we detached from the tether and were able to walk freely back into the Bridge Climb building were we cleaned up our headphones, turned in our gear and received our free climb certificate.

From journal Far Side of the World, Part I

Editor Pick

Sydney Harbour Bridge - Australias pride and joy

  • May 1, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by actonsteve from London, United Kingdom
Sydney Harbour Bridge - Australias pride and joy

After the Opera House, this is generally the second of Sydney's icons that visitors make for.

It stands at the tip of the city as it extends into the harbour. The area around it is one of the most historically important in Australia - the much vaunted 'The Rocks'. An age old rookery of thieves and ne'er do wells. Nowadays it has been gentrified almost to the point where it looks like a theme park with its glitzy boutiques, hotels and restaurants. But its a nice place to sit in the sunshine, order a barramundi and take a sip of a good Australian shiraz.

Most people approach the bridge from the half-moon of Circular Quay. But the main thoroughfare of George Street extends all the way through "The Rocks" until it passes under the bridge. The Bridge itself is entered from the south/CBD by the Bradfield Highway, a motorway that takes you to Sydney's northern suburbs. King George V Memorial Park stands under this highway and also has the entrance to the Bridge Climb. This is expensive at $110 Australian dollars and although I didn't partake I could view them from below taking the "riggers" route and looking tiny against the bulk of the bridge. My friend says you are not allowed to take your own camera up with you in case you drop it on passing cars below. Therefore you have to pay for a "group photo" for $24.

A good place to spot them slowly inching up the arch of the bridge is at the northern point of Dawes Point Park. Its a lovely paved promenade dotted with palm trees overlooking the water. The underside of the bridge is hundreds of feet above you, and the support pylons look like castles. If you need confirmation that the bridge was a engineering marvel then this is the place to come. Incidentally, Sydney was still paying for this bridge until 1988.

As mentioned, the bridge stands at the tip of "The Rocks." They have taken a great deal of care in renovating 'The Rocks' in what was until the seventies one of Sydney's roughest districts. But in many ways they have polished away its former ambience. It had a notoriously rakish past with brawling, press-ganging and low-life taverns—and it takes some work in the minds eye to imagine. Most of its 19th-century streets are well preserved—shops have original facades, etc. Some of the past dangerous alleyways, those once home to sailor muggings and robberies, now house opal shops, designer boutiques and "Aussie Teddy Bear" emporiums.

Despite the cuddly koalas and boomerangs this is an area worth exploring. Argyle Stores is still made of its original 18th-century sandstone and Wharf House steps is suitably old and creepy. But I think to get a full taste of "the Rocks" you must take a guided tour from the Tourist Information Centre. Then the legacy of Australia's oldest district comes startlingly to life.

From journal The watery city of Sydney - Gleaming, Glittering and Gigantic

Editor Pick

Sydney Bridge Climb – Standin’ On Top of the World

  • January 19, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Carmen from Fairfax, Virginia
Sydney Bridge Climb – Standin’ On Top of the World

1439. That’s the number of steps to reach the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. 1439 reasons not to go. 1439 racing heartbeats. 1439 leg cramps.

Are you kidding? You’ve GOT to climb the bridge. It was one of my best Sydney experiences. The climb is actually not that difficult (if you’re scared of heights, it might make it worse). I did get winded a few times, but that’s what a two-week vacation from the gym will do to you.

Start by signing your life away and taking a breathalyzer test (don’t drink AT ALL that day). Then walk through the door and get assigned your highly fashionable climbing suit. You can wear one layer of clothing underneath, but bulky clothes have to be removed. If you go commando, I don’t want to know. You’re not allowed to wear watches, earrings bigger than a one-dollar coin, hairpins, etc –nothing to drop on the eight lanes of traffic below you.

Then, you meet your guide (ours was Nick, Melbourne-born and very cute, also quite a ham) you get your belt – this has the “latchy” that holds you onto the bridge. After strapping up, you go “shopping”. Choose from a wrist-bound hanky, a scrunchy and/or hat, sunglass holders, etc. – EVERYTHING clips onto your stylish ensemble.

Next is a practice climb, “the second best Sydney view” Nick jokes. He tests us out here, making us lean right, then left, then kick. How far will his group go? What will they do? (For us, it turns out to be both the YMCA on the way up and the Chicken Dance on the way down.)

Before you get to the bridge, you’re given a radio for the guide commentary, and then you’re off.

Cross over the residential area, feel the rush of Australia’s busiest roadway below. Duck and goose-step your way through the first few railings, and then it’s up, up, up you go. (Lean back as you climb the stairs, so as not to hit your knees, but HOLD ON!)

Of course there are your tourist photo stops along the way, for purchase upon return (though one is included, as is a certificate.) When you reach the top, you really feel a sense of achievement as you admire the city and the harbor beneath you.

I had a special treat. My birthday was the next week, so the group sang to me, (and then we screamed like we were falling off!) Then I got to descend the bridge and watch a wonderful sunset.

You’re a bit of a celebrity when you climb, as people below wave to you and take your photo. Real celebrities have climbed too – Will Smith, Matt Damon, Bette Midler, and now ME!

This is a must-do! It cost me $135, and I booked way in advance (they sell out quickly). Twilight climbs cost more. Hint, if you can’t get a time through your agent or hotel, go to the office and ask, they often get last-minute spots.

From journal Sydney - Where Music and Fireworks Float

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